Admiral turned diplomat warns of superpower war over South China Sea

The US Navy admiral nominated to be America’s next ambassador to Australia has warned that the South China Sea could be a flashpoint for war.

Harry Harris has told Congress that the USA must prepare for the possibility of war with China, saying Beijing’s “intent is crystal clear” to dominate the strategic waters. He also warned that Chinese military might could soon rival American power “across almost every domain”.

Harris, soon to retire as the head of US Pacific Command in Hawaii, told the House armed services committee that the US and its allies should be wary of Beijing’s military expansionism in the region. He also condemned China’s foreign influence operations, predatory economic behaviour and coercion of regional neighbours such as the Philippines.

However, despite the ruling, Chinese military build-up has continued apace.

“China’s impressive military build-up could soon challenge the United States across almost every domain,” Harris said.

In a separate answer, he said of the risk of conflict with China: “as far as the idea of deterrence and winning wars, I’m a military guy. And I think it’s important you must plan and resource to win a war at the same time you work to prevent it.

“At the end of the day the ability to wage war is important or you become a paper tiger. I’m hopeful that it won’t come to a conflict with China, but we must all be prepared for that if it should come to that.”